Republican Jews on Twitter rush to Trump’s defense after white supremacy debate question
Donald Trump, Joe Biden Image by Getty Images
By David Ian Klein September 30, 2020
“Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” President Trump said in Tuesday’s presidential debate when asked if he would denounce white supremacy.
A far-right group, the Proud Boys ally themselves with neo-Nazis.
However, some notable Jewish Republicans came to the president’s defense, lashing out at Biden, Democrats and the media.
3. Where’s Biden’s record after half a century? No questions to Biden about the vile anti-Semitism in his party, or in his own campaign. Nothing.
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) September 30, 2020
Donald Trump has, in fact, condemned white supremacy repeatedly. In the exchange everyone is quoting from last night, he repeatedly said he was willing to do so. The fact that this has been obscured is journalistic malpractice. pic.twitter.com/pYbfHMcgb5
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 30, 2020
Jewish groups and notables quickly expressed their displeasure on Twitter.
.@potus – Bigots, racists, and antisemites are rejoicing at your refusal to condemn white supremacy.
There can be no ambiguity on this issue. White supremacists should not just be told to “stand by” – they need to be renounced completely.
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) September 30, 2020
Trump just said “Proud Boys stand back and stand by.”
He didn’t condemn them. He gave them a direct order. #Debates2020
— Bend the Arc: Jewish Action (@jewishaction) September 30, 2020
For every Jewish voter like myself, even those who supported trump, last night when he told Proud Boys to stand back and stand by, I hope that ended your relationship with him.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) September 30, 2020
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
